Constantine in St. Joseph County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

William Meek

Founder of Constantine 1829

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 9, 2014

1. William Meek Marker

Inscription.
William Meek came to the area in 1828 from Ohio. In 1829, he purchased 121 acres where the Fawn River joins the St. Joseph River. His family came in 1829, as did four others. In 1831 the Village was platted. Meek built a grist mill and a saw mill. By 1837 there were many homes and businesses: carriage and wagon factories, blacksmiths, 3 saddle shops, 3 mercantile houses, Meek’s gristmill and sawmills, a shingle mill and flour mills, a fanning mill factory, several mechanics, cabinet and furniture shops, a foundry, tanneries, and farm machinery and equipment factories. The Village of Constantine was incorporated in 1837, but for several years people in the surrounding areas continued to call it “Meek’s Mills.”

In 1836 Meek sold his property and followed the Frontier West into Iowa.

Erected 2009.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.

Location. 41° 50.533′ N, 85° 40.098′ W. Marker is in Constantine, Michigan, in St. Joseph County. Marker is on E. Water Street east of S. Washington Street (Business U.S. 31), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 138 E Water St, Constantine MI 49042, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gov. John S. Barry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Constantine United Methodist Church (about 700 feet away); Heywood House (about 800 feet away); Constantine Civil War Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Stewart Barry (approx. 0.3 miles away); Constantine Tribute to Veterans of All Wars (approx. 0.6 miles away); In Memory of Wahbememe (approx. 3.1 miles away); Chief Wahbememe Burial Site (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Constantine.

Also see . . . William Meek - Pioneer Farmer. Flickr website entry:
A short article about Meek focusing on his emigration to Oregon and California. (Submitted on July 11, 2014.)

William Meek Mural and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 9, 2014

2. William Meek Mural and Marker

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 9, 2014

3. William Meek Mural and Marker

Mural and marker are located on the west wall of the Meek's Mill Cafe

View to east along E. Water Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 9, 2014

4. View to east along E. Water Street

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 487 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 11, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.